#(the graphic took a hundred hours though because im picky

[fmdjinyoung-blog]

Idolized Preshooting Interview; MARS’ 𝓙𝓲𝓷𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓰

          We caught up with the twenty-eight year old to get a glimpse into his thoughts for the                            upcoming filming of the highly anticipated Idolized documentary.

What is life as an idol like? What are the hardships? What is rewarding?

Jinyoung’s more than thankful that he’s chosen a shirt with so many tailoring details to wear for the sit-down; he’s able to pick at the buttons here and there and to rub his thighs when he’s anxious about an answer. He’s arguably the most professional in approaching his job as an idol; he gives just enough, knows when and how to smile after saying something and where chuckles are appropriate, but the notion of explaining that job is not such an easy thing to get personal about. He gives his manager a questioning look, who urges him to continue, and so he does after clearing his throat. “Ah. Life as an idol is probably as hard as everyone imagines, but the hardships aren’t so bad if you take everything in stride. It’s fun to be on the road but all of the flights get tiring, it’s great to perform but it takes a lot of practice before hand, and it’s important to stay fit even if your body feels strain. There’s pros and cons to everything, right? All of the difficulties go away when you finish promotions or something like that, look back, and think, “Ah, I did it.”” He gets a thumbs-up. It’s a workable answer and more than expected from him.

How would you feel if your future child wanted to be an idol?

The mere assumption of his kin is enough to make a laugh bubble on the tip of his tongue but he lets it die there like a passing wave and instead clears his throat again, turning his head to the side quickly as a cautionary gesture. It’s more than unnerving for the manager who draws attention to himself more and more by the passing minute; he’s coached Jinyoung for this and yet he’s trying to go against the cold, collected image he’s always had. Why now? “If my future child wanted to be an idol, I’d support them. My father supported me in the public eye because everyone else in my family already was. If it was what I wanted to do, he was fine with it. I think there’s a lot of ways to express your love for music, and if that’s the way my child wanted to pursue it, then so be it. As long as they understood what it took and did their best, I’d say that’s alright.”

Do you think the words “artist” and “idol” mean the same thing?

Jinyoung knows how he really feels about this, he’s told his manager in honesty while they were viewing the questions in advance. The man told him to lay it on easy, rather not to be honest at all and to be very non-descript as he always is. Straight faced with stiff nods as they’d discussed. Only he doesn’t do that, for once in his career. “Idol and artist of course aren’t the same thing. They can both work as hard, that’s subjective, but objectively they’re not. An artist channels a lot of creative expression and personal touch into a lot of things. They have to create a brand and a certain image. An idol does those things to a lesser extent. An idol has different responsibilities than an artist, a creator does.” They’ll talk about it in the car.

Are there sides to you your fans don’t see?

This is a question that calms his manager’s heart rate. There’s not much Jinyoung had to say about this subject and the solid look on his face seems to project that now. “I think everyone has sides and parts of them they don’t show everyone, so yes, I probably do. I’d like to think I’m very real in my presentation though. I don’t like changing myself if I don’t have to.”

What do you hope viewers will see through the airing of this show?

His manager’s nervous again to be honest and the way Jinyoung’s cuffing and uncuffing his sleeves shows that he’s not sure about this question. The lower half of the questions Jinyoung simply didn’t have a good answer for. “Um. I hope they see through the airing of this show that...idols are not as superior or perfect as imagined. It’s easy to forget that idols and musicians are people just like everyone else, no matter how talented. This might show a new perspective.”

What do you hope you’ll get out of the experience of the show? Are there any other groups or idols you hope to get the chance to meet more through the show?

“I hope that I can learn how to have fun with others during this experience,” He answers finitely and doesn’t speak for a while, which makes his manager groan. He’s mouthing ‘more,’ so Jinyoung gives him more. “I think sometimes I don’t talk to or text others enough like I know a lot of my members in MARS do. Sometimes I’m all work and no play, which can be a bad thing. Um, I think I’d like to meet anyone more.” ‘More.’ “ I musically admire the women in Lipstick and the men of Decipher seem fun to be around. It would be cool to say hello to them.” He’s shrugging.

How do you feel about the upcoming Hallyu Triple Fantasy Concert in Jeju City?

The what? He was only briefly told about this and perhaps chose to ignore it. It wasn’t like MARS was busy, he just hasn’t taken a look at his agenda book in..forever. “I’m looking forward to it.” He provides and gets a blank expression in return. “It seems like a great opportunity for a lot of fans to come together and enjoy themselves, which is always good.”

Do you have any worries about being followed by cameras for the show?

This is something he can tackle on his own and everyone on the teams’ more than grateful it’s the last question. Jinyoung’s quick and easy to work with, but it’s a bit tense with his manager frantically waving a clipboard around the entire time. “I’m only a tiny, little bit nervous about being followed by cameras because I’m a reserved person. I like down time and I’m not interesting during it, but I’ll do my best. I want to be entertaining. I feel mostly fine though because acting involves a lot of cameras, you know? Acting is like second nature for me, and I even have a few drama prospects coming up. This is a good warm-up, no?” 

He’s in his coat, gathered with the team, and in a car within the next five minutes.